LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

“WHAT THEY WERE TOLD AND WHAT THEY DID!”  


Welcome to this introductory course in the Book of Acts!
This course will introduce you to several facets of studying textual courses in the Center for Church Enrichment.
We encourage you to correspond with the teacher regarding any questions you may have about the course, the study procedure, and other matters of concern.
On the Home Page for this course in the menu to the left of the page you will find an item Student Tools.  
      Click on the Student Tools selection.  
      Check out each of the items that appear such as Student Manual, How to Study,
      and Student Information.  
Be sure to complete the student Information form.  
     
This information will be automatically sent to the teacher. 
     
In order to be able to serve you better it helps us to know something about you;
      besides, we want to get to know you as a fellow believer!

What is this course all about?
This study will be a brief textual study in keeping with the purpose and theology of Acts.
The study will in particular focus on the following elements in Acts in nine lessons:
     1.   This introductory lesson and survey of Acts.
     2.   A brief Introduction to Acts, and Jesus’ instruction to the Apostles to be his
           witness beginning in Jerusalem and then from there through Judea and
           Samaria and to the whole world. (Acts 1)
     3.   The preaching of the Apostles – their apostolic message. (Acts 1; 3, 4)
     4.   Peter’s Pentecost Sermon. (Acts 2)
     5.   The response of those who heard the message throughout Acts (Acts 8, 9)
     6.   Cornelius and the working of the Holy Spirit in Acts. (Acts 10)
     7.   The mission of the early church in Antioch. (Acts 13 - 20)
     8.   Paul’s journey to Rome and its circumstances. (Acts 21-28)
     9.   Salvation in Acts  

It is the purpose of this study to introduce you to the general flow of the Apostles’ preaching, the founding of the new community of believers that Luke will call the church, and what people were told to do in order to be saved and added to the church.

We encourage you to carefully read the texts cited from Acts, and any other texts that may be referenced.

Each of the nine lessons will include an assignment that will be automatically e-mailed back to the teacher.

Enjoy your study, and we pray that you will use this information to the Glory of God!  

Reading Assignment for Lesson 1
Carefully read the following passages as an introduction to the story of Acts and an encouragement to your study.  Make notes of the thrust of each passage.
     1.   Acts 1:6-11
     2.   Acts 2:36-42
     3.   Acts 2:46, 47
     4.   Acts 4:12
     5.   Acts 6:1-7
     6.   Acts 8:34-39
     7.   Acts 10:34-43
     8.   Acts 13:1-3; 15:36-41
     9.   Acts 14:21-23
   10.   Acts 16:19-33
   11.   Acts 17:1-9
   12.   Acts 17:22-31
   13.   Acts 20:17-32
   14.   Acts 22:1-16
   15.   Acts 28:17-30


Summary and Discussion
1)  When you have completed the above reading assignments summarize what you
     learned about Jesus' commission to the apostles.
2)  What did Jesus intend the apostles to do?
3)  What did they do in response?
4)  Give one or two examples that would illustrate this.
5)  What did they tell others, or what was the central content of their message?
6)  What did they tell others to do?  Give on or two examples of their instruction to
     others.
7)  What was the geographic development Luke traces in Acts?
8)  Why did Luke adopt this geographic structure to his narrative?
9)  What was the message of salvation preached by the apostles and apostolic men in
     Acts?